Mau wows ’em, shows way in F2 title run

MANILA, Philippines — They had waited for quite some time, and when they found the missing piece, there’s no stopping the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers from reemerging as Philippine Superliga queens.

The Cargo Movers’ preseason acquisition of Kalei Mau proved to be the big difference as F2 completed a journey back to the top with a two-game sweep of Cignal HD in their PSL All-Filipino Conference title playoff.

They raised their first crown in three years after an emphatic 25-14, 25-16, 25-19 conquest of the HD Spikers Tuesday night at the MOA Arena in Pasay City where Mau led the way with another stellar performance.

The Fil-Am spiker was superb all tournament long and, in the end, savored a first PSL championship she laced with the Best Scorer and MVP honors.

But she insisted she would have not achieved all of these without her teammates, crediting them for the quick turnaround of her career.

“I really want to give it up to my teammates. I got to always look back and see where I started and now, how I got here. This is such an indescribable feeling. I never felt this way before so it’s a great accomplishment for me and my team,” said the 6-foot-2 power-hitter out of Arizona State.

Kalei Mau. Joey Mendoza

As humble as Mau is, F2 coach Ramil de Jesus was all praises of their prized acquisition from the disbanded United VC.

“Kalei filled in our shortcomings (in our back-to-back runner-up finishes to Petron). She was what we needed to get the job done and get on top of Superliga anew. We’re thankful for her,” added De Jesus. 

Now a champ and MVP, Mau is now looking forward to another good run in the coming PSL Invitational Conference. On top of that is the chance to play for the national team in the 30th SEA Games set Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

“It’s such an honor to have an opportunity to represent the country especially for me who has learned to love the Philippines. It’s surreal. I’m playing for the country, in front of the country, and with the best players in the country. It’ s a big deal,” said Mau. 

Mau is part of the 22-strong Phl women’s national volleyball training team along with other Superliga All-Filipino Conference awardees in F2’s Majoy Baron (2nd Best Middle Blocker), Foton’s Jaja Santiago (1st Middle Blocker) and Dindin Santiago-Manabat (Best Opposite Spiker) along with Cignal’s Alohi Robins-Hardy (Best Setter). 

Other Superliga standouts who received individual awards were Petron’s Sisi Rondina (2nd Best Outside Spiker), Cignal’s Rachel Ann Daquis (1st Best Outside Spiker) and Jeck Dionela (Best Libero).